360 IMPORTANCE OF REGISTERS 



the observations were made ; to such as are not 

 liable to be mistaken, or confounded with other 

 species closely allied to them ; or to such, lastly, as 

 particularly shew themselves at fixed periods, and 

 are most regular in their appearance. 



(22.) In regard of plants, nearly the same points 

 have been attended to, as those recommended by M. 

 Quetelet. The species given in the calendar are 

 mostly common ones and widely dispersed in this 

 country ; the greater number, though by no means 

 all, are perennials ; also for the most part plants grow- 

 ing wild, though a few are only cultivated, the choice 

 of these last being regulated by the circumstance of 

 their being generally common in gardens, and well 

 adapted to marking the progress of the seasons. It 

 should be stated, that, in the case of the wild species, 

 garden-plants have been preferred, when they were 

 to be had, both for the convenience of being able to 

 watch them more narrowly, as well as for the 

 security of being able to note the same individual 

 in successive years : those only have been selected 

 for this purpose, which grew in spots moderately 

 exposed, and not affected in their time of flowering 

 by any undue influence of heat or shelter. 



In addition to the observations on plants and 

 animals, there are a few inserted relating to field 

 husbandry, such as the times of sowing some of the 

 principal crops, and the times of haymaking and 

 harvest, which will not be deemed unimportant by 

 those observers to whom the periodic phenomena of 

 nature are a subject of interest and research. 



For the assistance of those who are dis- 



